WALES should have its own poet laureate, members of the National Assembly were told yesterday.

WALES should have its own poet laureate, members of the National Assembly were told yesterday.

Peter Finch, chief executive of the literature-promotion agency Academi, made the suggestion in his evidence to the Assembly's Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee yesterday.

Mr Finch was giving evidence as part of the committee's policy review into English- medium writing in Wales.

Mr Finch, a well-known poet himself, said, "We think the Assembly should respond to our idea of a poet laureate for Wales, a poet for Wales.

"Certainly, the poet laureate in England regards Wales as part of his responsibility. We think we should have our own, somebody who could act as an ambassador for Welsh writing in English. We could have two, one in each language.

"It would need an official body to make the appointment, not one of the existing arts agencies."

He also suggested the Hay Festival of Literature play a greater role in promoting Welsh writing in English.

Mr Finch later said the position would cost about £4,000 to £5,000 "per poet per year", and said a laureate could visit schools and write poems to preface Assembly documents.

Welsh Culture Minister Alun Pugh told the committee he was "intrigued" by the idea.